Up-down Nylander Has What It Takes

Rookie Michael Nylander made the Whalers roster in the first two weeks of training camp and nearly lost his spot in the final two weeks.

So when he sat out the first four games of the season, it appeared the Whalers were close to sending him back to Sweden.

Nylander has made the Whalers change their mind again. The Whalers said Friday they will not send Nylander to AIK Solna in the Swedish Elite League.

The decision means the Whalers will pay Nylander, 20, his full salary of $350,000 this season (including a $150,000 signing bonus but not including bonuses for games played), regardless of whether Nylander spends any time at their AHL affiliate in Springfield.

Although he has one assist in four games, Nylander has been skating at right wing with center John Cullen in recent games and with either Jim McKenzie or Robert Petrovicky on the left side.

"I like Nylander with [Cullen]," Whalers coach Paul Holmgren said. "Given time, those two will read off each other and work well together. They're both good with the puck, can find the open guy."

Cullen's numbers are off, though. He has two goals and two assists in eight games, after averaging a point per game in 77 games last season.

Strong start for Cassels

Center Andrew Cassels, 23, is off to the best start in his NHL career with a goal and nine assists in eight games. Cassels takes a five-game point streak (one goal, seven assists) into the game tonight against the Islanders in New York (7:40 p.m., SportsChannel).

"I think it has a lot to do with confidence," Cassels said. "My level, in my own mind, I realized I can do certain things I wasn't doing before."

Cassels, who started the season at wing, was moved back to center and rejoined by left wing Murray Craven. They played together much of last season.

"[Craven's] flying right now," Cassels said. "It isn't too hard to see that. You just have to try to get him the puck. He's doing a

lot on his own."

So is Pat Verbeek, the line's right wing. All three are averaging more than a point per game. Craven and Verbeek have six points each in the past two games